Rapid PCR for Integration in Sample-to-answer Analysis Platforms
Poster Apr 04, 2012

S. Brunklaus, T.E. Hansen-Hagge, J. Erwes, J. Höth, M. Jung, D. Latta, X. Strobach, C. Winkler, T. Röser, M. Ritzi-Lehnert, K.S. Drese
Introduction
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nowadays constitutes an important and commonly applied method for a plenitude of diagnostics such as medical diagnostics of infectious diseases. Compared to conventional approaches such as Gram staining and cell/bacteria culturing, molecular tests are often not only faster but also yield rather specific information, e.g. on the type of pathogenic agents present. Results from molecular tests thereby render specific and highly efficient therapy feasible, in particular, when implemented in systems providing results directly at the point of care (POC). Here, a rather elegant solution to integrate a fast PCR in POC systems is presented, based on the moving plug concept.
By employing simulation methods such as CFD, optimum heat transfer conditions were identified. Based on these findings a chip layout for fast and robust PCR was devised that runs 30 PCR cycles in 6 minutes. Most prominently, performance verifications were provided by testing of real samples containing genomic DNA both, from purified nucleic acids and not pre-treated whole blood. Employing simulation methods and analysing experimental results ended-up in a fast and robust PCR set-up including appreciation of key processes. Notably, the module has the potential of integration to complex sample-to-answer platforms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

OTHER POSTERS
Despite the developments in conventional PCR, the complexity of multiplex Real Time PCR is still limited due to the lack of sufficient detection channels. To achieve high-end multiplexing capacity on standard Real Time PCR machines, Anapa Biotech has developed the MeltPlex® technology (see box on right).
READ MOREGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 100 genetic loci associated with type 2 diabetes. The majority of these are located in the intergenic or intragenic regions suggesting that the implicated variants may alter chromatin conformation. This, in turn, is likely to influence the expression of nearby or more remotely located genes to alter beta cell function. At present, however, detailed molecular and functional analyses are still lacking for most of these variants. We recently analysed one of these loci and mapped five causal variants in an islet-specific enhancer cluster within the STARD10 gene locus. Here, we aimed to understand how these causal variants influence b-cell function by alteration of the chromatin structure of enhancer cluster
READ MORELike what you just read? You can find similar content on the communities below.
Diagnostics Genomics ResearchTo personalize the content you see on Technology Networks homepage, Log In or Subscribe for Free
LOGIN SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE